Vaccinations are urged to prevent the spread of whooping cough, which has claimed the live of six Texas children.

Judy Schmidt, Centers for Disease Control

A good Friday morning. Record high temperatures are still expected today, before a Saturday cold front brings decreased temperatures and an elevated fire risk. Here's some of the area's top overnight stories.

Travis County leads the state in the number of whooping cough cases with 163 as of the end of August – that's about 14 percent of the state total. No one in Travis County has died from the illness. The Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department says it is "highly aggressive" in seeking out whooping cough cases so the numbers could be somewhat misleading. The department works with local health providers to identify whooping cough cases and alert them of clusters of incidents.

The department says it’s especially important for pregnant women, newborns and their parents or guardians to be vaccinated for the illness.

Whooping cough can be spread through coughing or sneezing. It usually starts with cold-like symptoms and can turn into a severe cough that can become deadly.

Roger Clemens says in a statement on the Skeeters’ website that he’s thrilled to be playing with Koby.

“This is cool stuff. Having Koby, my oldest son, back there to catch a game will be great. I’m glad he’s getting the opportunity to do so. We will have many special guests there to watch. Thanks again to Sugar Land!”

Skeeters President Matt O’Brien added:

“All season long, the ballpark has been the backdrop for great father/son memories. We are excited this one is coming together for the Clemens family.”

The report shows a sharp rise in the cases of whooping cough disease — also known as pertussis — from 2006 to 2010. There were 908 reported whooping cough cases in 2010 in the Austin-area.

While these statistics might make it look like Austin is on the edge of epidemic, Dr. Philip Huang with the Austin-Travis County Health and Human Services Department says pertussis numbers are likely part of the disease’s natural cycle.

An Obama administration executive order takes effect today that provides some protection from deportation for young undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria. The order is seen as something of a work around by the administration after Congress failed to pass the so-called DREAM Act earlier this year.

The Austin City Council is scheduled to discuss today a resolution that would direct the City Manager to study the impact of events at Zilker Park and Auditorium Shores.

Last week, council members approved expanding the Austin City Limits Music Festival to two weekends next year. The festival organizer, C3 Presents, promised to pay not only fees for the use of Zilker but also an unspecified sum of money to upgrade Auditorium Shores.

C3 Presents also organizes the Austin Food and Wine Festival at Auditorium Shores. Attendees at this year’s event complained the festival was “dusty” after grass was worn down to dirt from a previous event at the park.